How can handwashing be promoted when soap is scarce?

It is rare that people have no soap at all, rather the soap that they do have is prioritized for other tasks such as bathing, laundry or dishwashing. If this is the case try implementing activities that remind people of the power of soap. Also remind people in your area that any type of soap can be used for handwashing (see ‘Are some types of soap more effective than others?’) including cheap soap that is often used for laundry. You can also suggest that people create soapy water (see ‘Can soapy water be used?). If you are working in an area where soap is unaffordable for people or is unavailable then using ash may be better than handwashing alone (see ‘Can ash be used for handwashing?’). 

Photo of a public handwashing facility in Tanzania where they have created a laundry powder dispenser from a bottle.

Want to know more about COVID-19 and handwashing? 

• Why does handwashing with soap work so well to prevent COVID-19?

• Can ash be used for handwashing?

• Are some types of soap more effective than others?

• Should we be promoting handwashing with chlorinated water?

• Can soapy water be used?

• Is alcohol-based hand rub better than soap?

• Should we be promoting handwashing at different times during the COVID-19 outbreak?

• What can we do in areas with real water scarcity?

• Can I use greywater or water that is not clean for handwashing?

• Is it safe for people to share handwashing water?

• Do public handwashing facilities pose a risk?

• Can bar soap spread COVID-19?

• What kinds of handwashing facilities should we construct?

• How should hands be dried?

Editor's note

Author: Sian White
Review: Katie Greenland, Ammar Fawzi
Last update: 13.04.2020